Collision Course - Collision recap for August 16, 2025

"Timeless" Toni Storm shows up to start tonight's show. She calls out Athena, saying she is history making and record-breaking, but is annoying enough to attack her any time she sees her before "bullying a prepubescent teenager." She also asks how many nicknames a woman needs before praying to make light of the "Fallen Goddess" nickname, stating that she will beat her at Forbidden Door before Athena nearly boots her in the face. Toni and Athena brawl, but Athena gets the upper hand by the time Billie Starkz shows up. She tells Toni to pray that she does not expose her for the fraud and idiot that she is, and that without the grayscale and the sexual innuendos, she is nothing. Athena then asks "If AEW is where the best wrestle, why is this bitch sitting at the top?" Athena then has Billie bring Toni to the ring and tells Toni her days are numbered, and says that everyone will bear witness as she takes the division to new heights as "the forever AEW champion." She then proceeds to mock Toni before Mina Shirakawa shows up. As Athena is distraced, Toni suplexes Billie. Athena swan dives into security before Toni and Mina kiss.

The Death Riders (Jon Moxley and Wheeler Yuta) beat JetSpeed ("The Jet" Kevin Knight and "Speedball" Mike Bailey) after Marina Shafir distracts the referee, allowing Yuta to hit Knight with a low blow.

We see a video package for Rey Hechicero vs. "Taiga" Style Lee Moriarty vs. Nigel McGuinness vs. Daniel Garcia in a Technical Spectacle for a title shot versus Zack Sabre Jr. at Forbidden Door for later tonight.

We see The Outrunners (Truth Magnum and Turbo Floyd) in another montage where they get back in touch with "Brother Nature."

Ricochet beats the debuting "Inevitable" Ace Austin. During the match, Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona) show up to watch from ringside, but Ace Austin is able to fend them off after a dive to the outside that takes out Ricochet and Kaun. After the match, Gates of Agony slam Austin down in the middle of the ring.

Backstage, Renee Paquette interviews The Hurt Syndicate (MVP, Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin). MVP says they do not care who wins the World Tag Team Championship Eliminator Tournament, as they will hurt the winners. He also says they are better than they ever been and that they are and will stay champions after the removal of MJF.

Backstage, Renee Paquette interviews Paragon (Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong). All of a sudden, Tomohiro Ishii and Hologram show up as O'Reilly asyas that they will get back to their winning ways, and Roderick Strong says that until he gets his hands on "The Protostar" Kyle Fletcher, everyone will pay for what he did. I'Reilly says the word of the day is "momentum," and that after tonight, everyone will celebrate with chili.

Paragon (Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong) beat Blake Christian and Lee Johnson. When Tomohiro Ishii and Hologram show up to celebrate, Roderick Strong immediately walks away.

Backstage, it is revealed that FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) and Stokely Hathaway have attacked and unmasked Bandido. Brody King shows up, sees what has happened and fights FTR two-on-one, taking their brawl into the ring in the process. Stokely Hathaway soon grabs Brody King by the leg on the outside, and when Brody grabs him, Stokely throws powder into his face before FTR hits Brody with the Shatter Machine. Stokely then wears Bandido's mask.

Backstage, we hear from Skyflight (Scorpio Sky, Darius Martin, Dante Martin, Leila Grey, Christopher Daniels), who issue a challenge of their choice to The Don Callis Family before Leila Grey puts $10 in the swear jar.

Kris Statlander beats Julia Hart, Penelope Ford and Anna Jay in a $100,000 4-Way Fight by submission with a head scissors to Julia Hart. After the match, "The Toxic Spider" Thekla and Skye Blue attack Kris Statlander, with Queen Aminata, Tay Melo and Megan Bayne also showing up. All of a sudden, Harley Cameron shows up in a pink face mask with a board with a chain wrapped around it in her hand and clears the ring.

Backstage, we hear from "The Protostar" Kyle Fletcher, Hechicero and Lance Archer. Fletcher considers Hiromu Takahashi a fine choice for an opponent, but says that his reign is just beginning and that Takahashi will be another legend he will mop the floor with. He also announces that "The Alpha" Konosuke Takeshita has made it to the finals of the G1 tournament and will bring home the trophy. Archer says that Skyflight (Scorpio Sky, Darius Martin, Dante Martin, Leila Grey, Christopher Daniels) should keep The Don Callis Family's name out of their mouths, and Fletcher says they will see Skylfight shortly while The Don Callis Family continues to bring home the gold and make Don Callis proud.

Backstage, Renee Paquette interviews Kris Statlander, who says that she does not need anyone to tell her who she is and what she is worth. Harley Cameron shows up and is inspired by Kris Statlander's attempt at "women inspiring women" and is about to suggest what to do with the $100,000 Statlander just won when Jon Moxley and Wheeler Yuta show up impressed with Statlander's victory.

Juice Robinson beats "The Bounty Hunter" Brian Keith.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino is seen in the crowd.

Backstage, Renee Paquette interviews Anthony Bowens. Bowens says he is sick of hearing about "Platinum" Max Caster and that he is the one who should be star, not Caster, especially when he is constantly representing AEW. He says that Caster does nothing but lose and that he cannot stop hearing Caster's chant, and that he is tired of this.

Nigel McGuinness beats "Taiga Style" Lee Moriarty, Hechicero and Daniel Garcia in a four-way Technical Spectacle with a submission hold to Lee Moriarty to face Zack Sabre Jr. for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Forbidden Door. After the match, Renee Paquette interviews McGuinness, who says that he is ready for Zack Sabre Jr. and knows that it is a dream match for both competitors and a lot of fans, and that it will soon be a reality for a lot of people in London, England. McGuinness then has a word with Daniel Garcia, saying that he came very close and left it all in the ring and that his heart will take him far in the business. He also asks Daniel Garcia to be in his corner at Forbidden Door, saying it would be an honor if he did. Garcia shakes his hand to take him up on the offer.